Thumb injuries plague Molina, Phillips

USA TODAY SportsYadier Molina is out at least 8-12 weeks. Brandon Phillips will miss at least six weeks.

Yadier Molina, C, St. Louis Cardinals (right thumb): This year we have seen numerous thumb injuries during slides, the bulk of them coming when leading with the head and the hands. In Molina’s case, the slide was feet first and he appeared to be using his hand to help control his approach to third base. His pain was apparent right away and the tough-as-they-come Molina was forced to leave Wednesday’s game in the third inning.

On Thursday, the Cardinals delivered the bad news that this would be more than just a two-week rest-and-recovery absence. Molina is scheduled for surgery Friday to repair the ligament, and the team has issued a timetable of eight to 12 weeks for his return. There is variability in the recovery time for these injuries, but as catcher, Molina has to throw repeatedly with this hand, including hard defensive throws, potentially lengthening the time for him to return to play. He is also potentially at risk for more contact than most. From a hitting perspective, the good news is the injury is to Molina’s top hand, making restoration of his natural grip of the bat somewhat easier. While it’s certainly possible he could emerge on the short end of the timetable, the Cardinals have to prepare for the possibility that Molina may not be available before their regular season fate is sealed.

Brandon Phillips, 2B, Cincinnati Reds (left thumb): If it’s not sliding into a base, it’s the diving defensive play that puts the vulnerable thumb at risk. It happened to Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez last year when he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb while diving for a ground ball in the World Baseball Classic.

On Wednesday, it happened to the Reds second baseman while making a diving catch in the eighth inning. Phillips was seen wearing a splint on his left thumb after the game, and on Thursday the team announced he would be undergoing surgery. It’s fair to broadly estimate an absence similar to those who have undergone similar procedures. The Reds have indicated a projection of six weeks, which in reality could range from just short of six weeks (like Ramirez) to eight weeks (like Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper). In short, the Reds should expect to be without Phillips’ services until late August or early September. Phillips has not been on the DL in the past five seasons, so his absence for any length of time is a jolt to the Reds' lineup.

In the same game, Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton left early with hamstring tightness. Hamilton, who acknowledged the muscle had been bothering him for a few days before it tightened up Wednesday, anticipates missing a few games, but the All-Star break could work in his favor. With the four “free” days allotted by the break, Hamilton could avoid a DL stint.

Homer Bailey, SP, Cincinnati Reds (right knee): The Reds do seem to be taking their injury lumps all in the span of a few days, adding a pitcher to the mix in Bailey. While the team can take some comfort in the fact that he is not dealing with an injury to his throwing arm, the point remains that he could not complete his Thursday outing. Bailey had discomfort in his left knee while trying to pitch to Starlin Castro in the sixth inning, with the team calling it a strain of his patellar tendon, the broad, flat tendon that anchors the quadriceps muscle below the knee. For now, the Reds say Bailey will make his next start, but even so there will be some concern until he successfully completes that outing.

ABOUT THIS BLOG

Stephania Bell

Stephania is a physical therapist who is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and a certified strength and conditioning specialist. An avid fantasy player, Stephania spent time as a fantasy injury analyst at Rotowire.com and appeared weekly on XM Radio's fantasy sports show before joining ESPN.

She is a clinician, author and teacher with extensive experience in the area of orthopedic manual therapy and sports medicine. She practices in the Bay Area, and her primary patient population consists of athletes and performing artists ranging from junior high school to professional.

Stephania has her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and roots for the Tigers.

She received her Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Miami and roots for the Hurricanes.

She held a teaching position at the University of Kansas for five years and roots for the Jayhawks.

She is from San Francisco and roots shamelessly for the 49ers and the Giants (through the good and the bad).